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Stop New Nuclear newsletter no 15, 1 March 2012

veröffentlicht von webmaster am Do, 01/03/2012 - 22:09

Dear all,

just about 10 days to go until 10 March 2012 - one year since the beginning of the Fukushima disaster, which is far from over. And just about 10 days until Surround Hinkley and the 24 hour blockade of Hinkley Point nuclear power station, which is our way to say "No more Fukushimas! No new nuclear in Britain!". We have been extremely busy since our last newsletter on 19 February, which is why you receive this newsletter a little late. However, it's full of information and updates, so please read it carefully.

News from Hinkley Point

On 12 February, Langborough Barn on the land of the proposed Hinkley Point C nuclear power station was occupied by anti-nuclear protesters, just a few days after the eviction of the tree occupation (see our last newsletter). On 18 February, the Barnstormers were served legal papers for a possession of the premises and, in an unprecedented move, an injunction against future protests at this site (see http://stopnuclearpoweruk.net/content/energy-giant-edf-seeks-high-court-injunction-against-protestors). A few days later, on 21 February, EDF also served legal papers seeking an injunction on several anti nuclear organisations, among them Stop New Nuclear (see http://stopnewnuclear.org.uk/node/260). So the Barnstormers, but also many of us, were busy fighting of the injunction, which was largely successful. While the High Court granted EDF the possession order and an injunction against those occupying Langborough Barn, the judge turned down EDF's request for an injunction against any of the organisations! (see http://stopnewnuclear.org.uk/node/261) This means both - Surround Hinkley and the 24 hour blockade - can go ahead as planned, without any additional legal restrictions.

Following the possession order and the injunction, Langborough Barn was evicted early in the morning on 29 February, and two occupiers were arrested. Both were released with a conditional discharge today, following a court hearing in Taunton (see http://stopnuclearpoweruk.net/content/barnstormers-released).

Greenpeace report "Lessons from Fukushima"

Just a few days, Greenpeace published an important report on "Lessons from Fukushima". Although the Great East Japan earthquake and the following tsunami triggered Fukushima nuclear disaster, the key causes of the nuclear accident lie in the institutional failures of political influence and industry-led regulation.
It was a failure of human institutions to acknowledge real reactor risks, a failure to establish and enforce appropriate nuclear safety standards and a failure to ultimately protect the public and the environment.

This report, commissioned by Greenpeace International, addresses what lessons can be taken away from this catastrophe. The one-year memorial of the Fukushima accident offers a unique opportunity to ask ourselves what the tragedy – which is far from being over for hundreds of thousands of Japanese people – has taught us.

Updates on Surround and blockade Hinkley

Besides fighting off the injunction, we have been busy with preparations for the actions on 10 and 11 March 2012. Here are some updates:

Updated legal briefing

An updated Legal briefing is now available on our website. The briefing had to be delayed, as the injunction proceedings could have had a huge impact on the legal situation. Luckily, they didn't, but it is still important to read the briefing carefully! Please read the briefing even if you only attend Surround Hinkley on 10 March - an entirely legal action - so that you do know what you should not do on the day.
Everyone who wants to blockade should carefully study the legal briefing and the information pack published earlier.

Legal observers needed / legal observer briefing

We are still short of legal observers for the Surround and blockade of Hinkley Point, and everyone coming to both of the actions should consider whether he or she can act as a legal observer. There will be a last briefing for legal observers in the car park provided by EDF, on the left of Wick Moore Drove, the access road to Hinkley Point power station. This is the same car park as last time.

The legal support backoffice van will also be stationed in the car park, so if you have any questions, that's the place to go. But should there be arrest, please don't go there too often to ask after your friends - information on those arrested will be provided as soon as it becomes available.

Speakers during Surround Hinkley

We have so far been able to confirm several speakers for Surround Hinkley on 10 March. Caroline Lucas MP will address all of us just before we begin to surround the power station, at about 12:45pm! So please get there on time.

The rally will begin after the surround action, at about 3.30pm. Confirmed are:

Leading environmentalist Jonathon Porritt will join demonstrators at Hinkley Point nuclear power station in Somerset to mark the first anniversary of the Fukushima disaster - and to call for a halt to nuclear energy expansion.

Mr and Mrs Ishiyama will be telling demonstrators at Hinkley Point how they left their home in Fukushima City six months after the nuclear disaster because of concerns over the impact of radiation contamination on them and their young child. Mr Ishiyama is currently working as a graphic designer, and his wife is dental assistant. They now live in Obihiro, Hokkaido.

Kate Hudson from CND will make the links between civil and military use of nuclear energy.

Seize The Day will provide musical entertainment before and after the surround. They will hopefully be joined by other bands or individual musicians which are not yet confirmed.

Timeline for surround and blockade

Assuming everything goes according to plan, this will be the schedule for the two days:

Saturday, 10 March 2012

12pm: assemble in front of Hinkley Point

1pm: Beginning of surround Hinkley Point. People will start to surround the power station using the footpaths

2pm: Surrounding Hinkley Point with noise

2.15pm-3.30pm: Return to the gate

3.30pm-6pm: rally and music in front of the main gate of Hinkley Point

6pm: End of the "surround Hinkley" action. Beginning of blockade

Sunday, 11 March

Blockade continues until about 2pm on Sunday, 11 March 2012.

Come prepared!

We already published a packing list in our last newsletter, but we want to drive home the message, so here it goes again:

The following packing list is only a basic suggestion of essentials for the surround action:

warm clothes, plus a second set as change, should you get wet

waterproofs (jackets and trousers)

wellingtons (the footpaths are muddy)

food for the days

water for the days and/or a thermos with hot drinks

something to make noise during the surround

The following packing list is only a basic suggestion of essentials for the 24 hour blockade:

warm clothes, plus a second set as change, should you get wet

waterproofs (jackets and trousers)

wellingtons (the footpaths are muddy)

camping mats and/or camping chairs to sit on

a warm sleeping bag or bivy for the night, and/or possibly a pop-up tent

food for two days

water for two days and/or a thermos with hot drinks

Getting to Hinkley Point

There is no public transport to Hinkley Point, so if you should not be able to come with one of the coaches or minibuses, or your own car (which you are hopefully able to fill with friends), then Stop New Nuclear is also organising a shuttle service from Bridgwater train station and/or coach station. We will also shuttle people back after the surround action if needed, and after the blockade. Please get in touch with us via campaign [at] stopnewnuclear.org.uk as soon as possible, to let us know of your arrival time.

Up to now, we are aware of coaches or minibuses from London, Bristol, Exeter, and Leicester (picking up in Nottingham too), but we expect more to be added - we heard rumours that a coach is being organised again from Glastonbury, but we don't have the details yet. Transport is also being coordinated from Suffolk.

Training

There are still a few trainings set up, for those wanting to prepare for the 24 hour blockade. The free training will prepare people with techniques and strategies for civil disobedience and non-violent direct action, and provide reassurance and information for those new to this type of activity. It will also provide people with the tools needed for effective consensus decision making. These sessions will be invaluable in the formation of affinity groups (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affinity_group), and local networking.

We need your help

There will be a lot of roles during the two days of the surround and blockade, and we need your help. If you can help with any of the following, then please contact us as soon as possible via campaign [at] stopnewnuclear.org.uk:

driving a minibus on Saturday and Sunday, or transporting people in your own car

helping to staff a stall

providing tea or coffee

handing out fliers

helping with set-up and take-down of equipment/infrastructure

providing pop-up tents

legal observing/legal support (see above)

...

There is a lot to do, so please help!

Other actions on 10/11 March

So far, we are aware of action at two other nuclear power stations in the UK on 10/11 March 2012:

Sizewell Camp, 20-22 April 2012

Spend a sunny weekend camping on the beach at Sizewell and learning about the plans for the new power station. Come and show your opposition to nuclear power and your support for sustainable energy solutions. The weekend includes a protest at the nuclear power station entrance, workshops and skill shares, woodland and beach walks, vegan food and networking. Now is the time to take action against new build – come join us to say ‘Nuclear power – No thanks!’
More information at http://stopnuclearpoweruk.net/content/sizewell-camp-2012.

Donate

The new action to surround Hinkley, and the 24 hour blockade, will need a lot of money to make them happen. We expect that we will need about £11,000 to organise the action, print fliers and posters, etc. We need your help to make it happen. You can help us by organising a fundraiser, asking your local Quaker meeting to make a collection for Stop New Nuclear, or simply by donating and asking friends to donate. Please give generously. You can donate online at http://stopnewnuclear.org.uk/donate, or you can send a cheque made payable to Stop New Nuclear to:

Stop New Nuclear is a campaign to stop new nuclear power stations and is an alliance of Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, CND Cymru, Stop Nuclear Power Network UK, Kick Nuclear, South West Against Nuclear, Shutdown Sizewell, Sizewell Blockaders, Trident Ploughshares, Stop Hinkley, and Rising Tide UK